Company, former ship’s master fined for fuel spill in Labrador waters

Coastal Shipping Limited and Bradley Doyle, former ship’s master of the vessel Mokami, have been fined a total of $115,000 after pleading guilty to violations under the federal Fisheries Act.

Coastal Shipping Limited is a division of the Woodward Group of Companies.

According to a news release, the violations are the result of the September 2009 release of approximately 70 litres of diesel fuel from the vessel into the waters of Williams Harbour, Labrador. The spill occurred while fuel was being transferred from the ship to storage tanks in the community.

The company and ship’s master pleaded guilty to failing to properly clean up the spill or mitigate damage, and to failing to report it to authorities.

The company was fined $100,000, and Doyle $15,000.

The court is directing half of the total fines, or $57,500, to the Environmental Damages Fund.

Williams Harbour, known locally as Tabby’s Harbour, is located within the environmentally sensitive Gilbert Bay Marine Protected Area. Gilbert Bay provides important habitat for a variety of fish species, including the unique Gilbert Bay Atlantic cod population.